SeaWorld drops weekend ticket price, announces new pricing structure

SeaWorld's new Shamu show One Ocean. (Courtesy SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment)

Yesterday, SeaWorld unveiled a simplified ticket pricing structure, which includes discounted weekend rates for tickets purchased online.

The move to clarify prices comes just two months after the park raised gate ticket prices from $97 to $99.

Previously, SeaWorld charged $70 for weekday tickets purchased online in advance. Tickets for busier weekend days cost $89.

Under the new pricing plan, SeaWorld's one-day price at the gate remains $99 but the park is encouraging guests, and Florida residents, to buy multi-visit passes that also allow access to other SeaWorld owned parks including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Aquatica Orlando and Adventure Island Tampa Bay.

For tickets purchased online: One visit to any park will set you back $79 (tickets can be used any day of week including weekends); two visits to any parks for $99; or three visits to any parks for $109.

If you’re planning an extended Orlando area stay, SeaWorld is also offering a new “Length of Stay” ticket. For $139 per person, visitors can enjoy 14 consecutive days of unlimited access to all four parks with free parking.

For Florida residents, SeaWorld Orlando is offering free admission through the end of 2016 to children five and under whose parents register for a Preschool Card. The card must be activated by May 27.

But the cost of SeaWorld’s annual passes has risen, from $13 a month — $156 for the year — to $14 a month, or $168 annually.

Last year, all three major Orlando theme parks raised gate ticket prices. Disney and Universal raised the prices of their annual passes at all levels.